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Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century

Edited by Carol Smallwood

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century is an anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers.

While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 316 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4422-4355-2 • Hardback • December 2014 • $114.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4422-4356-9 • Paperback • December 2014 • $69.00 • (£53.00)

978-1-4422-4357-6 • eBook • December 2014 • $65.50 • (£50.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / Administration & Management

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century is an anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers.

While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 316 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4422-4355-2 • Hardback • December 2014 • $114.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4422-4356-9 • Paperback • December 2014 • $69.00 • (£53.00)

978-1-4422-4357-6 • eBook • December 2014 • $65.50 • (£50.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / Administration & Management

Author

Carol Smallwood received a MLS from Western Michigan University, MA in History from Eastern Michigan University. Librarians as Community Partners: an Outreach Handbook; Bringing the Arts into the Library are recent ALA anthologies. Others are: Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching (McFarland, 2012); Marketing Your Library (McFarland, 2012); Library Services for Multicultural Patrons: Strategies to Encourage Library Use (Scarecrow Press, 2013). Her library experience includes school, public, academic, special, as well as administration and being a library systems consultant. In 2019, Carol Smallwood was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments

Part I Staff
Chapter 1 Attitudes
Padma Polepeddi

Chapter 2 Employee Energy=Motivate Connect 2 Empower (E=MC2)
Amanda D. McKay Biarkis and Johnna Schultz

Chapter 3 Staff Evaluations
Padma Polepeddi

Chapter 4 Succession Planning Strategies for Small Public Libraries
Karen Harrison Dyck

Part II Programming
Chapter 5 Cultivating Conversation, Memory & Self-Awareness: Women & Libraries Post-Retirement
Joanna Kluever, Wayne Finley

Chapter 6 Patron Facilitated Programming
Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle

Chapter 7 Programming: Helping the Community Learn More About Itself
Judith Wines

Chapter 8 Successful Adult Programming Using Local Resources
Diana Stirling

Part III Management
Chapter 9 Building a Dynamic System for Relevant Statistical Analysis
Joshua K. Johnson

Chapter 10 Collection Management in Small Public Libraries
Brady A. Clemens

Chapter 11 Establishing an Inviting Atmosphere Through Library Displays
Cynthia Harbeson

Chapter 12 The Helping Hands of Boomers in Friends of the Library Groups
Kim Becnel and LouAnn Morehouse

Chapter 13 Making an Inviting Library Atmosphere
Jan Burns

Chapter 14 When Small Means Really Small
Joy Worland

Part IV Technology
Chapter 15 E-reading in Rural Libraries: A Guide to Effective Support
David Robinson

Chapter 16 Facebook Classes for Older Patrons
Sarah Kaufman

Chapter 17 Preserving Your Community's Memories: Developing Librarians for Digital Preservation
Vanessa Neblett and Shane Roopnarine

Chapter 18 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Library Web Content
Lauren Magnuson

Chapter 19 Seniors in Cyberspace
RoseAleta Laurell

Part V Networking
Chapter 20 Celebrating Creative Achievements: Facilitating Networking, Learning, and Camaraderie
Sharon Miller

Chapter 21 Supporting Success: Thinking Outside the Box via In-State Sister Libraries
April Ritchie

Part VI Fundraising
Chapter 22 Beyond the Book Sale: Creative Fundraising for Your Small Public Library
Portia Kapraun

Chapter 23 Fundraising: Filling the Gap Without Grants
Judith Wines

Chapter 24 Grantsmanship Methods and Strategies for Rural and Small-Town Librarians
Dwight McInvaill

Chapter 25 Programming Turned Fundraisers from a Library Board Trustee Member/Librarian Perspective
Linda Burkey Wade

Part VII User Services
Chapter 26 The After School Café
Amy White

Chapter 27 Instructional Design and the Public Librarian
Melissa Cornwell

Chapter 28 Library Services for Users in their 20s & 30s
Samantha C. Helmick

Chapter 29 Market Research: a Vital Tool for the Survival of Public Libraries
Brian A. Reynolds

Chapter 30 Simple Strategies for Improving the User Experience with the Library Website
Teri Oaks Gallaway and James B. Hobbs

Chapter 31 A Tree Without Roots Cannot Grow: Creative Outreach to African-American Genealogical Patrons
Nancy Richey

Chapter 32 We Started a Festival: The Halloween Costume Collection
Amy White

Index
About the Contributors

Reviews

This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents.

— Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania

This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations.

— Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System

This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results.

— Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas

A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities.

— Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington

Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically.

— Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century

Edited by Carol Smallwood

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century

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